Appetizer ideas

[WalkersMommy]

My parents have a Christmas Eve pot luck party every year. I want to bring 2 or 3 appetizers, but I can't seem to find anything that jumps out at me. Can you guys share your favorite appetizer ideas/recipes with me? TIA! :D

[nun69]

we love the shrimp with coctail sauce poured over cream cheese...easy and awesome! just eat with craxkers...also artichoke sip but I'll be back with the recipe {you can serve cold or warm!}

[MandaT]

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/brown-sugar-smokies/Detail.aspx These are awesome. I made them & took them to Bible study one night, they were gone in minutes. SO yum!:thumbup:

[maryinaz]

Here's 3 I just had at a party last weekend plus the drinks:

Crunchy Zucchini Rounds with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

2 zucchini, sliced ¼ in. rounds
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. large ground pepper
2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
3 ounces goat cheese
2 T. chopped fresh chives
2 T. olive oil

Lay zucchini rounds on platter.
Season with salt and pepper.

Place sun-dried tomato on each slice; top each tomato with a pinch of goat cheese.
Sprinkle tops with chives and drizzle with olive oil.


Swiss Cheese Sausage Squares (these were sooooo good!)

Pumpernickel cocktail bread
1 lb. spicy sausage, browned and drained
1 heaping T. flour
½ cup shredded Swiss cheese
¼ to ½ cup Half & Half
Add flour to browned sausage. Add cheese and Half & Half. Heat.

Bake bread separately in oven; 5-8 minutes each side.
Add sausage mixture on top.
Bake 10 minutes 350 degrees.
Serve hot.

Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapenos-one dozen
Pineapple tidbits
Cream cheese, soften
½ lb. prosciutto ham (slice thin)

Wear gloves to clean jalapenos.
Slice lengthwise.
Clean out seeds unless you want heat.

Put 3-4 pineapple tidbits in the jalapeno.
Top with hunk of cream cheese. Mush on top.
Cut prosciutto ham in half; wrap around jalapeno.
Cook 20 minutes at 425 degrees.

And here's the drinks we had - very Christmasy!

Pomegranate Spritzers (I can post a pic if anyone needs to see them)

1 cup “Pom” pomegranate juice (get this at Costco)
1 cup cranberry juice
3 cups ginger ale
½ can limeade
1-2 cups vodka
Pomegranate seeds
Lime slices
Lime rimming sugar

Mix juices, ginger ale, and limeade in a pitcher.
Rim glasses with lime sugar.
Pour above mixture into glass. Add vodka to taste.
Top with pomegranate seeds and a lime wedge.

[gourmetdigi]

I often make a baked Cobb Loaf dip. They are easy to make, mix cream cheese with bacon and other savouries, and pop in the oven. I serve it with a sliced french stick as the 'lid' and inner bread filling you pull out doesn't go far.

Other savouries can be: creamed corn; spinach; spinach and fetta cheese; asparagus; chicken etc. but you can make up your own.

These are very popular! Normally I only make 2, this year I'm going to make an extra one, though it'll probably be used on Christmas Day, so might have to order a couple of extra Cobb loaves from the bakery for the day after (we have two public holidays where I am - Xmas and Boxing).

http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?query=cob%20loaf&Type=Recipe&bool=and

I hope the link works...

[nesser1981]

I made this Hot Jalapeno Popper Dip a few weeks ago and everyone has raved about it.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/appetizers-and-snacks/hot-jalapeno-popper-dip/

Pigs in a Blanket with Little Smokies always go fast.

Mexican Layer Bean Dip is always another big hit.

The Pioneer Woman has a great recipe for it.

[Coila]

At my parents we always have pigs in a blanket too. They go super fast :)

[lovely1m]

This blog is full of great recipes and he takes the best food pictures.
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/

I have been thinking of trying this one

Baked Brie Topped with Caramelized Mushrooms
(makes 4 servings)
Printable Recipe


Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion (finely diced)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
8 ounces mushrooms (cleaned and quartered)
1 teaspoon thyme (chopped)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup white wine (or madeira or broth or 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar)
1 (8 ounce) wheel of brie
1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
1 baguette (sliced)



Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a pan.
2. Add the onion and cook until it starts to caramelize, about 20-30 minutes.
3. Add the mushrooms and saute until they start to caramelize, about 20-30 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and thyme and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add the wine, deglaze the pan and cook until it has evaporated.
7. Place the brie on an oven proof serving platter, top with the mushrooms and bake in a preheated 350F oven until the cheese melts, about 8-10 minutes. (Optional: Cut the top off of the brie and let the mushrooms melt right into the brie.)

[nun69]

Artichoke Dip
2 cans artichoke hearts quarters (packed in water-canned vegetable section)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
2-3 cloves garlic-minced
1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 8 oz. kg cream cheese
1 tsp. dill weed
serve with any kind of crackers~

mix together and done :) serve warm or cold...I like to keep it in a little mini crock pot to keep it warm :) it is yum m yum!